Waits, Nasheet
Giant Step Arts, 2024, CD
Instrument: Drums
Issue: 30.3
Jazz Ruler Type: Bebop
Performance: 4
Sound: 3
Score: 81
O’s Notes: New York-based drummer Nasheet Waits didn’t fall far from the tree, learning much from his father, percussionist, Frederick Waits. He has broadened his perspective played behind a wealth of talented musicians including Andrew Hill, Fred Hersch, Stefon Harris, Greg Osby and many others. We find Waits as the leader on New York Love Letter with Steve Nelson (vibes), Mark Turner (t-sax), and Rashad Carter (bass). They play six tracks that include original ballads like “Moon Child”, and “The Hard Way AW” with excellent drum work from Waits. There are fine covers of Andrew Hill’s “Snake Hip Waltz”, Coltrane’s “Central Park West” and our favorite, “Liberia”. Collectively, this a rich hard bop experience.
Publicist: Braithwaite & Katz
